350th Anniversary of the death of Italian architect Francesco Borromini marked on gold coin

Born on 25 September 1599 and dying on 3 August 1667, Swiss architect Francesco Borromini, along with his contemporaries Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Pietro da Cortona, is a key figure in the emerging architectural style, Roman Baroque. He developed a distinctive style within this type of architecture, employing manipulations of Classical architectural forms, geometrical rationales in his plans and symbolic meanings in his buildings. Notable buildings showing his work include Sant’ Ivo alla Sapienza and San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, although many more show signs of his hand along with Bernini in particular.

The coin is a fifth of an ounce of 0.900 fineness gold, like pretty much all of IPZS’s output, devoid of modifications such as colour and plating as they prefer to stick with the classic look.  Designed by Uliana Pernazza, the design centres around an amalgamation of a self-portrait of Borromini and one of his finest designs, the oval-shaped helicoidal staircase in the Palazzo Barberini. The other face features details from Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza. All in, a pretty good design; typically Italian in that it draws from the countries deep art history. Selling for €340.00 and having a mintage limited to 1,200 pieces, it’s one that architecture fans in particular would do well to take a look at. Available now.

Reverse: detail from the “lanternino”, the small lantern of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza inscribed in the floor plan of the church and flanked by the value “20 EURO”; above, “BORROMINI”; on the right, the letter “R” identifying the Mint of Rome; on the left, an eight-pointed star, detail of the interior of the church’s dome; below, “1667” and “2017”, the year of Borromini‘s death and that of the coin’s issue respectively.

Obverse: bust of Francesco Borromini modelled after a self-portrait conserved in the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome; in the background, the helicoidal staircase of Palazzo Barberini in Rome; around, “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA” with bees, symbol of the Barberini family, and the name of the designer “U. PERNAZZA” inbetween.

UPDATED: New high resolution images of the coin added.